A brief history of Reading Festival:

Reading festival has always had a gloriously shambolic and messy rock n’ roll past. Its first incarnation as the ‘National Jazz Festival’ may seem worlds away from it’s now visceral predominantly rock line-ups, but in reality it’s really not. The same pioneering and original sprit of the Jazz Festival seeped into the newly formed Reading Festival of 1971. Since then Reading has seen a diverse mix of headliners from the likes of guitar gods such as: The Yard Birds and Rory Gallagher, through to bands as varied as Pink Floyd, The Jam, New Order, Nirvana, The Pixies, Green Day and of course this year which sees the return of the mighty Strokes.

The acts you’d be barking mad to miss:

Along with the 4 headliners ( My Chemical Romance, The Strokes/Pulp and Muse), other notable ‘see or die’ acts include the wonderful collective that is Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (known by some, only because of that adorably cute cover by that 5 year old on youtube. No doubt their performances at Reading & Leeds will push them beyond viral fame into the ears of many listeners) the chaotic yet un-missable Fucked Up will be causing havoc on NME/Radio 1 stage. As for those of you who prefer to spend your time at the dance stage, acts include Crystal fighters, Devlin and the ever enjoyable Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Having paid close attention to the list of performers, I’ve began to hone in on who I not only want to, but NEED to see. First up, let’s get this straight Henry Rollins = God, even if a apocalyptic rapture-esque storm hit the Reading area (well by the end of the weekend Reading does usually look like a biblical storm’s hit it!) I will still be going to see his set. The man is wisdom incarnated.

As for who else I want to see, well we could be here for a while. The main stage acts being Rise Against (the best political punk band of the last ten years) Jimmy Eat World (the true god-fathers of ‘heart on your sleeve’ tunes , for all the copy cats out there, no one does it better than JEW) Frank Turner (likely to be crowned best singer-songwriter of this generation, just saying.) The Lockup stage makes this punk girls heart practically faint. The legendary Descendents, Face to Face and Hot Water Music are all present, with up-and coming acts such as The King Blues and Mouthwash also in attendance. Finally the drop dead hilarious talents of Tim Minchin rounds off just some of my must see acts at this year’s Reading festival. If you know what’s good for you, you too will be risking rapture and all to see them!
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Full line up here: http://www.readingfestival.com/2011/

Reading festival is from: the 26th-28th of August
Ticket details:
Weekend adult ticket (including camping): £192.50
Early bird top up-£15 (allows you on site on the Wednesday)
Day ticket: £82.50
Boutique camping ticket: £200
Children 12 and under are admitted for free, but must be accompanied by a ticket holder who is 18 years or older.